Printing press water solution mixing mechanism



Dec. 19, 1967 J B. W ATT ET AL 3,358,704

PRINTING PRESS WATER SOLUTION MIXING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 24, 1964 7Sheets-Sheet l FIG.I

L. V v M INVENTORS E JAMES B; WYATT ANDREW N. STAD Dec. 19; 1967 WYATTET AL PRINTING PRESS WATER SOLUTION MIXING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Sept. 24, 1964 INVENTORS JAMES B WYATT ANDREW N. STAD Dec. 19,1967 J W T ETAL 3,358,704

PRIHTING PRESS WATER SOLUTION MIXING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 24. 1964 7Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS JAMES B. WYATT ANDREW N. STAD Dec. 19, 1967 J.B. WYATT ET AL PRINTING PRESS WATER SOLUTION MIXING MECHANISM FiledSept. 24, 1964 TOGGLE SWITCH '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 l I I FLOAT SWITCH FlG.-7

SOLENOID VALVE a LINE w (WATER) INVENTORS JAMES BJWYATT ANDREW N.-'STADDec. 19, 1967 J. B. WYATT ET AL 3,358,704

PRINTING PRESS WATER SOLUTION MIXING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 24, 1964 7Sheets$heet 5 FIG."8

INVENTORS JAMES B. WYATT BY ANDREW N. STAD MORGAN, FINNEGAN, DURHAM 8|PINE ATTORNEYS Dec. 19, 1967 J WYATT ET AL 3,358,704

PRINTING PRESS WATER SOLUTION MIXING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 FiledSept. 24. 1964 I INVENTORS -JAMES B. WYATT ANDREW N. STAD BY MORGAN,FINNEGAN, DURHAM 8 PINE ATTORNEYS 3,358,704 PRINTING PRESS WATERSOLUTION MIXING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 24. 1964 Dec. 19, 1967 WYATT ETAL7 Sheets-Sheet 7 T,VD. O 2 mm N m w r W Y m l mm m F F F m m JA 1 I Ill7 I I 8 6 L a 6 M 8 G L m m m n m a W u m n M b v r 1 o I B M 1 M m w mP P P w a n r m P m a a 4 MP #A m a 4 6 0 w 8 MORGAN, FINNEGAN, DURHAMPINE- ATTQRNEY'S United States Patent 3,358,704 PRINTING PRESS WATERSOLUTION MIXING MECHANISM James B. Wyatt, Brooklyn, and Andrew N. Stad,Syosset, N .Y., assignors to Baldwin-Gegenlleimer Corporation, Brooklyn,N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 398,84612 Claims. (Cl. 137101.21)

The present invention relates to an improved fluid mixing anddistributing device and more particularly, to an improved device forautomatically mixing a solution of the proper amount of ingredients fordistribution to the water fountain pan of an offset printing press in acontinuously flowing recirculating system. This invention represents animprovement of the invention described and claimed in United Statespatent application Ser. No. 152,205 now Patent No. 3,166,095, filed onNov. 14, 1961 and is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.342,099, filed Feb. 3, 1964, now abandoned.

It is well known that offset printing presses are generally providedwith a water fountain which is filled with a solution of gum arabicdissolved in water and a slight proportion of chromic or phosphoricacid. The dampening rollers of the press apply this water solution,referred to in the trade as gum and etch solution, to the non-printingportions of the printing plate on the plate cylinder of the press tothereby insure that no ink will be received on those dampened parts ofthe plate. The proportions of a particular gum and etch solution aredictated by a number of factors, including the type of ink used, thenature of the printed work, the color being printed, the type of paperto be printed and other related factors. In other instances it isdesirable to add alcohol to be mixed with the solution of gum arabicdissolved in water and a slight proportion of chromic or phosphoricacid. The addition of alcohol to the fountain solution produces a morevolatile fountain solution and one which will be wetter and thus clingto a metal roller to which it is applied.

In the past it was the responsibility of the offset press operator toreplenish the supply of solution in the press water fountain pan since adry-up would result in ink being applied to the non-printing portions ofthe printing plate thereby spoiling a printing run. Moreover, difficultywas encountered in obtaining uniform and constant proportions of the gumand etch solution.

Replenishment of the fountain was generally done on a batch basis, asrequired, but for large offset printing plants this was a costly,tedious and time consuming task. It was also found that the proportionsin the gum and etch solutions were variable from batch to batch so thatthere was a lack of uniformity in the proportions of ingredients frombatch to batch. Where it is desirable to add alcohol to the solution theproblem is magnified since it is then necessary to control threeingredients in predetermined proportions.

Some attempts have been made to provide automatic equipment for thepurpose of mixing the proper proportions of the gum and etch watersolution. However, such devices have been generally limited in theirusefulness. For example, prior devices have been limited in theirability to provide large quantities of the fountain solution and havegenerally been useful for providing only relatively small quantities ofthe fountain solution. Moreover, some of the prior devices have beenrelatively complex devices which were difiicult to clean and service andhave been unreliable in their operation.

The present invention is characterized by the provision of a novelautomatic mixing mechanism for mixing predetermined amounts of gum andetch with predetermined amounts of water which is adapted to be usedwith a circulating system for the directing of the solution to the3,358,704 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 water fountain pan of an offset press.Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention the predeterminedamounts of the ingredients are adjustable so as to form solutions ofpredetermined yet variable characteristics.

In a modified form of the invention at least three fluids are mixedtogether in predetermined proportions.

More specifically, the present invention is directed to a new andimproved mixing apparatus for mixing predetermined amounts of gum andetch concentrate with ordinary tap water to form a gum and etch watersolution having a predetermined constituency. In accordance with thepresent invention the gum and etch concentrate is mixed with water toform relatively small batches of the gum and etch solution. The batchesare formed in accordance with this invention sequentially andautomatically, as needed, so that only a relatively small tank isrequired for the gum and etch solution which is being fed, in turn, toone or a plurality of presses. With a device constructed and arranged inaccordance with present invention a gum and etch reservoir ofapproximately three gallons can be used to furnish approximately 200gallons of fountain solution. The capacity of the tank for the fountainsolution is considerably smaller. More specifical ly in a modified formthe invention is constructed and arranged so as to mix in predeterminedproportions of gum and etch concentrate, water and alcohol.

Briefly described, the present invention includes a tank or containerfor the gum and etch and water solution. Mounted adjacent thereto and incommunication therewith is a bottle or reservoir of gum and etchconcentrate. A metering cup is mounted within the tank and is adapted togo up and dOWn with the level of liquid in the tank. The combination issuch that identical amounts of gum and etch are fed into the meteringcup for each cycle of operation. A water supply system is provided incooperative communication with the metering cup whereby predeterminedamounts, as established by adjusting means, of the gum and etchconcentrate are removed from the metering cup by a fixed amount of waterand mixed therewithin to form a gum and etch water solution ofpredetermined proportions. The gum and etch mixture is formedcontinuously while the level of the fluid in the tank rises to apredetermined level at which time further mixing is automaticallystopped. The gum and etch water mixture can then be removed from thetank and directed to the water level for distribution to either a singleor a plurality of presses. When a suflicient quantity of the fountainfluid has been removed so that the level of fountain fluid reaches apredetermined low level, the water system is again activated so thatthere is further mixing of the water and gum and etch concentrate. Thiscycle continues automatically, as described, until such time that it isnecessary to replenish the supply of gum and etch concentrate.

In a modified form of the present invention the device is adapted to mixgum and etch concentrate with water and with alcohol. In this form ofthe invention, a metering cup which cooperates with the gum and etchconcentrate and with a water supply, similar to that described above, isutilized. In addition, means are provided such that when the gum andetch and water solution reaches a predetermined level within the tank,alcohol is directed into the tank and the water supply is stopped. Theflow of alcohol continues until the level in the tank reaches apredetermined level resulting in a mixture of gum and etch, water andalcohol in predetermined proportions.

More specifically, one of the features of the present invention is thenovel metering cup which is located in vertical alignment with the gumand etch reservoir and is adapted to be raised and lowered by the levelof liquid in the tank. As embodied, the metering cup is mounted onmaterial which is floatable in the fluid in the tank.

When the metering cup is in its lowest position the bottom of the cuprests on the bottom of the tank and is always filled to the same levelwith concentrate. As embodied, the foregoing is accomplished in thepresent invention by virtue of the distance a downspout from thereservoir extends into the metering cup. As the level of liquid in thetank rises the metering cup goes up and will at a predetermined heightcome into communication with a syphon tube which communicates with anaspirator which is connected at one end with a Water source andoutletting at the other end into the tank. Concentrated gum and etch isthen syphoned from the metering cup by the vacuum caused by theaspirator and is mixed with the water. As water is fed to the tank themetering cup rises with the level of liquid and the concentrated gum andetch is removed from the metering cup and mixed with the water, thisaction continuing until the level of liquid in the tank reaches apredetermined level. As the concentrate is removed from the metering cupthe cup will continue to rise with the level of fluid in the tank untilthe top of the cup comes into contact with the underside of the tankcover. Concentrated gum and etch is removed from the metering cup untillevel of liquid in the tank reaches the predetermined high level atwhich time the water supply is automatically turned off.

In the modified form of the invention where three fluids are mixed inpredetermined proportions, namely, gum and etch, water and alcohol,means are provided so that when the level of fluid in the tank reachesits lowest or first predetermined level, the water supply is turned onthus causing mixing of the gum and etch and water as described above.When the level of fluid in the tank reaches an intermediate or secondpredetermined level means are automatically actuated to start the flowof alcohol into the tank and stop the flow of Water and hence the gumand etch concentrate. The alcohol will continue to flow into the tankuntil the highest or third predetermined level is reached at which timethe flow of alcohol is stopped and the pump is actuated to remove themixture of gum and etch, water and alcohol from the tank.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of this invention to providea new and improved device for mixing a gum and etch concentrate withWater in predetermined adjustable proportions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new improved device formixing a gum and etch concentrate with water in predeterminedproportions to form a fountain solution in automatic and sequentialbatches.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved mixing device having a novel metering cup which cooperates withmeans for filling the cup to a constant level whereby predeterminedproportions of chemical ingredients can be mixed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedmetering cup which is adapted to go up and down with the level of theliquid in the tank.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved mixing mechanism for mixing predetermined proportions of etchand gum concentrate with water wherein the gum and etch concentrate isgravity fed to a metering cup to insure that identical amounts of gumand etch are fed to the metering cup during each cycle of the operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mixingdevice for mixing predetermined proportions of gum and etch concentratewith water wherein the water supply syphons oif predetermined quantitiesof gum and etch concentrate in response to predetermined levels offountain solution in the tank.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved mixing device for mixing a plurality of fluids in predeterminedproportions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved devicefor automatically and sequentially mixing at least three fluids in atank in predetermined proportions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved mixing device for mxing gum and etch concentrate, water andalcohol in predetermined proportions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mixingdevice for automatically and sequentially mixing gum and etchconcentrate, water and alcohol in predetermined proportions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a system forautomatically and sequentially forming batches of gum and etch, waterand alcohol in predetermined, proportions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved mixingdevice including a tank wherein a combination of liquids is directedinto the tank after a first predetermined level is reached and anotherliquid is directed into the tank when a second predetermined level isreached and the mixture of said fluids is removed after a thirdpredetermined level is reached.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new andimproved mixing device which automatically and sequentially formsbatches of fountain solution including a tank wherein at a firstpredetermined level a mixture of gum and etch and water is directed intothe tank, at a second predetermined level alcohol is directed into thetank and at a third predetermined level the fluid mixture is removedfrom the tank.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious herefromor may be learned by practice with the invention, the same beingrealized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanied drawings referred to herein and constituting a parthereof illustrate one embodiment of the invention and together with thedescription serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a sectional front view of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a partial view taken along lines 22 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURES 4-6 are schematic views illustrating the mode of operation ofthe present invention.

FIGURE 7 is a schematic electrical diagram.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional front view of modified version of the presentinvention.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the modified device ofFIGURE 8.

FIGURES l0-l2 are schematic views illustrating the mode of operation ofthe modified form of this invention.

For convenience, a general description of the present invention will begiven since it will be helpful in understanding the more detaileddescription which follows.

With reference to FIGURE 1 there is shown therein a tank 2 which canhave any convenient contour but as shown herein is substantiallyrectangular in form.

The tank 2 includes a bottom wall 4 and at its upper end has a cover ortop 6. Mounted at one end of the cover or top wall 6 is a pump 8 whichis adapted to pump fountain solution from the tank 2 through pipe line10 to a system feeding water fountain pans for one or more offsetpresses. This general operation is disclosed in United States patentapplication Ser. No. 152,205 filed on Nov. 14, 1961.

Mounted at the other end of the cover or top wall of the tank 6 is areservoir 11, described more completely subsequently, for the gum andetch concentrate.

A metering cup 30 is located within the tank 2 and in vertical alignmentwith the reservoir 11 by a downspout 28 so as to locate the cup '30beneath the reservoir 11 by the downspout 28 which aids in locating thecup 30 beneath the reservoir 11. The downspout 28 is adapted to feed gumand etch concentrate from the metering cup 30. Rods 37 also assist inaligning the cup 30. Pipe 12 is a water line which is attached at oneend to supply fresh water and which has adjacent the other end anaspirator 14. As will be explained, fresh cooled water passing throughpipe 12 creates a vacuum in the aspirator 14 whereby gum etchconcentrate will be drawn through the downspout to be mixed with thewater in tank 2.

In accordance with this invention means are provided for sequentiallyand automatically making batches of fountain solution. This means, asembodied, includes a float control means 15 having a lower float 16 andan upper float 18.

The float control means 15 is electrically connected to a solenoid 22which opens and closes a water valve to control the flow of water in thewater pipe. The lower float 16 actuates the solenoid 22 and opens thewater valve when the level of liquid in the tank 2 falls to apredetermined lower level.

The float switch is of a differential type, i.e., it clicks over onlywhen the high or low is reached and remains there until the otherposition is reached.

The upper float 18, on the other hand, operates solenoid 20 and closesthe water valve to stop the flow of water when the level of fountainsolution has reached a predetermined upper level. The details of theoperation of the solenoid 20 are obvious to the person skilled in theart. As can be seen in FIGURE 7, the automatic operation can begin onlywhen manual switch 21 is in the proper position. Note that switch 21 canbe positioned so as to operate only motor 8 to thereby empty the tank 2.

In accordance with this invention, means are provided for removablymounting the gum and etch concentrate reservoir on the tank. Asembodied, the reservoir 11 comprises an open ended cylindrical bodyclosed at one end by a top plate 24 and closed at the other end by abottom plate 26 from which extends a downspout 28 passing through anopening to thereby feed gum and etch concentrate to the metering cup 30.

The plates 26 and 28 are forced into sealing engagement with the ends ofthe cylindrical container by the rods 29 and nuts 31. Means is providedfor preventing any residue in the reservoir from leaking out of thereservoir when it is removed from its position on the tank for purposesof cleaning or refilling.

As embodied, a valve 32 is mounted on the bottom end of rod 34 which inturn extends upwardly to a position above the reservoir 11 and the upperplate 24 (see FIG- URE 1). The valve 32 is spring biased by thecompression and torsion spring member 33 in a direction tending to closethe downspout 28. One end of the spring member 33 seats against washer41 and engages the handle assembly 50 and the other end is seated onbase plate 26 of the reservoir and is engaged in slot 39 to preventrotation thereof. A pin 35 extends into slot 39 and prevents rotation ofthe valve until pin 35 is moved to the upper dot-dash position of FIG.2. The valve 32 is held in the open position of FIG. 1 (full line ofFIGURE 2) by the notch 51 on the cover hook 49. The dotted position ofFIGURE 2 shows the pin when the valve is closed. By virtue of thismechanism the reservoir cannot be removed when the valve is open. Therod which extends beyond plate 24 will force the valve open when thereservoir is turned upside down and placed on a hard surface.

When the pin is in the lower dot and dash position of FIGURE 2 theopening is complete and the device is in position for filling.

Means is provided in accordance with this invention for filling themetering cup with a predetermined amount of gum and etch concentrate foreach batch. As embodied,

this means comprises a metering cup 30 adapted to rise and fall with thelevel of liquid in the tank. The metering cup 30 is attached in anyconvenient manner such as epoxy cement to a float 36. The float may bemade of any suitable floating material such as polyvinyl chloride foamor some other equivalent material. As best shown in FIG- URE 1, thefloat is generally donut shaped and surrounds the bottom portion of themetering cup. The metering cup and its associated float have suflicientbuoyance so that the metering cup can move upwardly with the level ofliquid in the tank 2 even when the metering cup is filled with the gumand etch concentrate.

Although the metering cup is floatable in the tank, means is provided sothat the cup remains horizontally aligned with the gum and etchreservoir.

As best seen in FIGURES 4-6, the length of the downspout 28 is relatedto the height of the measuring cup 30 so that the downspout will alwaysextend at least partially into the metering cup so that the metering cupwill always be located under the downspout 28 in a position to receivegum and etch concentrate therefrom. The distance that the downspout 28extends into the metering cup 30 as it rests on the bottom 4 of tank 2determines the quantity of gum and etch concentrate going into the cupsince once the cup is filled to the lower point of the downspout nofurther amount of gum and etch can enter the cup since no air can getinto the reservoir 10.

In accordance with this invention means is provided for mixingpredetermined proportions of gum and etch and water. As shown in FIGURE1, there is provided a substantially U shaped syphon tube 40, one end ofwhich is adapted to communicate with the metering cup 30 when the cuphas risen to the level of FIGURE 5. The other end of the syphon tube 40communicates with the suction tube of the aspirator. Thus, when thelevel of liquid in the tank has gone up and hence the metering cup hasrisen to a predetermined height the syphon tube is adapted to transfergum and etch concentrate to the water line 12.

Means are provided for varying the proportions of gum and etchconcentrate and water for the fountain solution. As embodied, the syphontube 40 is adjustably mounted so as to vary the distance of the tubefrom the bottom 4 of the tank 2 and hence the distance that the tube canextend into the metering cup 30. A clamp member 44 is provided with athreaded knob 46 so that the vertical position of the syphon tube can beadjusted and then set in position. A scale 48 informs the operator ofthe ratio of gum and etch concentrate to water for any position of thesyphon tube. In one embodiment, the scale has been constructed andarranged so that it sets the desired fountain solution mixture in termsof ounces of gum and etch per gallon of water.

It will be understood that once the setting has been made then eachbatch of fountain solution which is made will have the same ratio of gumand etch concentrate to water. In this manner, each batch of fountainsolution which is made will have the same constituency.

Operation The operation of a device made in accordance with thisinvention can be best understood with reference to FIGURES 4-6.

In FIGURE 4, the level of fountain solution in the tank 2 has reached apredetermined low level and metering cup 30 has been filled to a leveljust'below the top with the gum and etch concentrate. Owing to the lowlevel of fluid in the tank the lower float 16 has actuated the solenoid20 to open water valve 22 so that pure water passes into the tank tothereby begin filling the tank 2 with water. As the tank 2 is filledwith water, the metering cup begins to rise with the level of fluid inthe tank 2. After the level of fluid has gone up a predetermined amount,the end of the syphon tube 40 comes into contact with the gum and etchconcentrate in the metering cup (FIGURE 5).

The aspirator 14 in the water line 12 creates a suction in the syphontube to thereby syphon the concentrate from the metering cup to mix thegum and etch concentrate with the water. As the level of fluid in thetank rises, the metering cup continues to rise (FIGURE until such timethat the top of the metering cup engages the bottom of the top plate 6of the tank 2. After the metering cup has moved to this point (FIGURE 6)the upper float 18 will actuate the solenoid 22 controlling the Watervalve and will turn the water valve ofl. The pump 8 can now be utilizedto draw the fountain solution from the tank and direct the same to asuitable press feeding system. When the pump has lowered the level offluid to the level of FIGURE 4, the above described procedure is againrepeated.

A modified form of the invention is disclosed in FIG- URES 8-12. Inaccordance with this form of the invention, means are provided formixing predetermined proportions of alcohol with the gum and etch andwater mixture. Broadly speaking, this form of the invention includesmeans for mixing the gum and etch concentrate and water which isidentical in form to that described above except for some minor changesnoted hereinbelow.

In addition, to that described above this form of the invention includemeans operative when an intermediate or second predetermined level isreached which is operative to stop the flow of water and hence themixture of gum and etch and start the flow of alcohol into the tank.Means is provided also for stopping the flow of alcohol at apredetermined level resulting in the formation of a batch of fountainfluid having predetermined proportions of gum and etch, water andalcohol. When the flow of alcohol is stopped means is automaticallyactuated for removing the mixture from the tank.

As embodied and shown more specifically in FIGURES 8 and 9, this form ofthe invention includes a proportioning float 59 including a lower float60 and upper float 62 cooperating with the proportioning float switch64. The proportioning float switch 64 operates a solenoid controlledvalve shown diagrammatically at 66 to start and stop the flow of thealcohol. When the valve 66 is opened alcohol flows through the conduit67 to the bottom of tank 2 so that it can easily be mixed with themixture of gum and etch and water.

As in the case of the invention described in FIGURES 1-7, a high-lowfloat 69 is provided having upper 7 0 and lower 68 float are providedcooperating with the high and low float switch 72. The switch 72 it willbe observed is electrically connected to a solenoid operating the watersupply valve and the alcohol supply valve.

Operation The operation of this modified form of the invention can bestbe understood with reference in FIGURES 10- 12, respectively.

In these figures lines 80 and 81 represent the main power lines in theelectrical circuit which are connected to any conventional power supply.As can be seen in FIGURE 10, when the tank 2 has had the level of liquidtherein reduced by operation of the pump 8 to its lowest or firstpredetermined level, the high-low float 59 is at its low level and opensthe high low switch to the pump 8 and closes the switch leading to thewater and alcohol valve. The proportioning float 59, at this time, is atits low position and operates to close the electrical line to thesolenoid 22 controlling the water valve. In this manner the water valveis opened, and the aspirator draws gum and etch from the metering cup,as described with reference to FIGURES 17, and direct the flow of gumand etch and water mixture into the tank 2.

The flow of gum and etch and water continues until the intermediate orsecond predetermined level of fluid in the container is reached (FIGURE11) at which time the metering cup has already floated to its uppermostlevel as determined by the bottom of the top plate 6, and at which timee proportioning float 59 is moved upwardly by the fluid in the tank andoperates the proportioning switch 72 to break the electrical connectionto the water valve and thus automatically stop the further flow ofwater. Upon breaking the electrical connection to the water valve, thefloat propoitioning float switch 64 makes contact with the solenoidcontrolling alcohol valve 66, thus opening the same. Hence, alcoholbegins flowing into the tanks when the second predetermined level isreached and the flow of gum and etch concentrate and water stops.

After reaching the second predetermined position alcohol continues toflow into the tank until the highest or third predetermined level isreached. At this time as shown in FIGURE 12, the upper float 79 of thehigh-low float 69 causes switch 64 to make an electrical connection tothe pump 8 and to break the connection to the alcohol valve to thusbegin the removal of fountain fluid from the tank 2 and stop the flow ofalcohol into the tank. The fountain fluid is removed from the tank 2until the lowest or first predetermined level is reached in the tank(FIG- URE 10) at which time the cycle automatically repeats itself.

It will be understood that this form of the invention is not limited tomixing alcohol with the gum and etch and that other and differentwetting agents may be employed.

it is understood that the invention in its broader aspects is notlimited to the specific elements shown and described, but alsocontemplates Within the scope of the accompanying claims any departuresmade from such elements which do not sacrifice its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

1. A mixing device for making solutions from predetermined proportionsof chemical concentrate and water comprising: a tank, a metering cuplocated within the tank, said metering cup being floatable within saidtank between an upper and lower position, a closed reservoir of chemicalconcentrate mounted on the tank having an opening communicating withsaid metering cup, means for locating said metering cup under saidreservoir, a water supply means and means cooperating with said watersupply means and said metering cup for removing said chemicalconcentrate from the metering cup when said metering cup is in the upperposition mixing it with the water and directing it into said tank.

2. A mixing device for making fountain solution for distribution to awater level comprising: a tank, a gum and etch reservoir sealed at oneend, a downspout extending from the bottom end of said reservoir, ametering cup mounted in said tank and being located beneath saidreservoir, and floatable within said tank between a high and lowposition means for supplying water to said tank, means for controllingthe supply of water to said tank so that the supply of water isstartedwhen the level of fluid in the tank reaches a predetermined low leveland stopped when the fluid in the tank reaches a predetermined highlevel, pipe means for permitting passage of said gum and etchconcentrate into contact with the Water and means for supplying apredetermined amount of gum and etch concentrate for mixture with thewater when said metering cup is in the high position.

3. A mixing device for making a fountain solution comprising: a tank, asealed reservoir for gum and etch concentrate mounted above said tank, ametering cup mounted in said tank, said metering cup being floatable insaid tank so as to move up and down with the level of liquid in saidtank, means for feeding a predetermined amount of gum and etchconcentrate into said metering cup, pipe means intermediate saidmetering cup and said water supply means and means for directing saidgum and etch concentrate into said water supply means as the meteringcup rises to a predetermined height.

4. A device for mixing gum and etch concentrate and water comprising: atank, a gum and etch reservoir mounted on said tank, a floatablemetering cup located in said tank in alignment with said reservoir, awater pipe having an aspirator at one end, a syphon tube adapted tocommunicate with said metering cup and said aspirator and means forcontrolling the flow of water through said water pipe.

5. A mixing device for making fountain solutions for use withlithographic printing presses comprising: a tank, means for supplyingwater to said tank, a sealed gum and etch reservoir having an opening atits lower end, a floatable metering cup located in said tank and undersaid reservoir, and being movable between an upper and lower position,and means for cooperating with the flow of water to said tank forfeeding predetermined amounts of gum and etch concentrate to said tankwhen said metering cup is in the upper position.

6. A mixing device for making fountain solutions comprising: a tank,means for including a water line for supplying water to said tank whenthe level of fluid in the tank is at a predetermined low level andstopping the flow of water when the level of fluid reaches apredetermined high level, an aspirator in said water line, a reservoirof gum and etch mounted on said tank, a floating metering cup in saidtank and communicating with said reservoir, and pipe means adapted tocommunicate with said metering cup and said aspirator for mixing the gumand etch with water.

7. A mixing device for making a fountain solution comprising: a tank, areservoir for gum and etch concentrate, water supply means, meansoperative at a first predetermined level for feeding a mixture of gumand etch concentrate and water into said tank, means operative at asecond predetermined level for feeding alcohol into said tank and forstopping the flow of the mixture of gumand etch concentrate and waterand means operative at a third predetermined level for removing themixture from said tank.

8. A mixing device for making solutions from predetermined proportionsof chemical ingredients and water comprising: a tank, a metering cuplocated within said tank, a reservoir for gum and etch concentratemounted directly above said metering cup, a Water supply means and meanscooperating with said water supply means and said metering cup forremoving said concentrate from said metering cup and mixing it withwater and for directing it into said tank when the level therein reachesa first predetermined level, means responsive to a second 10predetermined level in said tank for directing alcohol into said tank,means responsive to said second predetermined level in said tank forstopping the flow of gum and etch and water mixture, and meansresponsive to a third predetermined level for removing the mixture ofgum and etch, water and alcohol from the tank.

9. A mixing device for making a fountain solution comprising a tank, aclosed reservoir for gum and etch concentrate, a Water supply means,means operative when the level of fluid in said tank reaches a firstpredetermined level to direct Water towards said tank and to mix gum andetch concentrate and water, an alcohol supply means, alcohol supplymeans operative when the level of fluid in said tank reaches a secondpredetermined level to direct alcohol into said tank, means operative tostop the flow of water when the flow of alcohol starts and meansoperative when the level in said tank reaches a third predeterminedlevel to remove liquid from said tank.

10. A device as described in claim 9 including a metering cup positionedin said tank directly beneath said reservoir, said metering cup beingfloatable within said tank, a suction line extending from a positionadjacent said metering cup to said water supply means and an aspiratorcooperating with said water supply line and said suction line to mix gumand etch concentrate and Water.

11. A device as described in claim 10 having a float element in saidtank adapted to cause operation of said water supply means when thefirst predetermined level is reached in said tank and to actuate saidmeans for removing liquid from said tank when the third predeterminedlevel is reached.

12. A device as described in claim 11 having another float element insaid tank adapted to start the flow of alcohol and to stop the flow ofwater when the second predetermined level is reached.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 540,117 10/ 1941 Great Britain.

WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner. H. M. COHN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A MIXING DEVICE FOR MAKING SOLUTIONS FROM PREDETERMINED PROPORTIONSOF CHEMICAL CONCENTRATE AND WATER COMPRISING: A TANK, A METERING CUPLOCATED WITHIN THE TANK, SAID METERING CUP BEING FLOATABLE WITHIN SAIDTANK BETWEEN AN UPPER AND LOWER POSITION, A CLOSED RESERVOIR OF CHEMICALCONCENTRATE MOUNTED ON THE TANK HAVING AN OPENING COMMUNICATING WITHSAID METERING CUP, MEANS FOR LOCATING SAID METERING CUP UNDER SAIDRESERVOIR, A WATER SUPPLY MEANS AND MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID WATERSUPPLY MEANS AND SAID METERING CUP FOR REMOVING SAID CHEMICALCONCENTRATE FROM THE METERING CUP WHEN SAID METERING CUP IS IN THE UPPERPOSITION MIXING IT WITH THE WATER AND DIRECTING IT INTO SAID TANK.